Color code and center punching device



Jan. 4, 1966 w. RAlNEY ETAL 3,227,131

COLOR CODE AND CENTER PUNCHING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F l, fl 2 7; I I Q 2% r .4 74 w 77/ 2 j 26 5' W I i dd r z? 2 3 as 6 2 1 PPOGEAM Z6 GOA/TEOL v Jan. 4, 1966 w. RAINEY ETAL 3,227,131

COLOR CODE AND CENTER PUNCHING DEVICE Filed March 23, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTQRNEYS Jan. 4, 1965 W. RAlNEY ETAL COLOR CODE'AND CENTER PUNCHING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR via/f0 fimm Fra /0g Edy Fe Jan. 4, 1966 W. RAINEY ETAL 3,227,131

COLOR CODEAND CENTER PUNCHING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 4i, 1966 3,227,131 CQLOR CGDE AND QENTER PUNCHHNG DEVZIEE Walton Rainey, Ardmore, and Francis Edgar Pelly, King of Prussia, Pa, assignors, by mesne assignments, to

Warner 8r Swasey Company, Cleveland, (this, a corpo ration of Ohio Filed Mar. 2;, 1962, Ser. No. 181,897 11 Claims. (Cl. 118-11) The present invention relates to marking devices for turret punch presses particularly suited for substitution for punches in tool holding wells of the turret and especially adapted for use with a program controlled punch press.

A purpose of the invention is to facilitate code marking of work which is to be punched, burned out or other wise machined on or in connection with a turret punch press.

A further purpose is to provide a multiple of marking devices side by side which can be placed in a desired geometrical relationship, and which also can apply color coding.

A further purpose is to combine color coding with center punch marking by the turret punch press.

A further purpose is to mount the marking devices to move vertically under the energization of pistons in fluid cylinders and to connect each fluid cylinder through a suitable resilient connector to an appropriate source of :l'luid pressure, said fluid pressure being admitted selectively to those cylinders and pistons where the marker is to be energized and not to others.

A further purpose is to mark the work for subsequent operations which cannot be performed by the punches of the turret press.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings we have chosen to illustrate are only of the numerous embodiments in which the invention may appear, selecting the form shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of a portion of the turrot and of the tool holding well and the center punching device of the invention, the section being taken on the line 1-1 of FIGURE 2. The portion of the turret shown in the drawing rotates in a direction normal to the plane of the paper about axis of rotation which lies to the right of FIGURE 1, the axis of rotation lying vertically in the plane of the paper,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the stationary structure and the marking device omitting the turret.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary step section on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 partially broken away at the right hand portion to show the coupling arrangement.

FIGURE 4 is a fra mentary section on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3. showing the mounting of the center punch in. the center punch opening, slightly enlarged in scale. FIGURE 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, showing the color marking devices and the center punching device.

FIGURE 6is a section on the line 6-5 of FIGURE 2,

showing one of the color marking devices of the invention. FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of the marking and center punching devices of the invention.

FIGURE 8 is an electric circuit diagram showing the preliminary selecting mechanism.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation, partially fragmentary and partially sectional, of a turret press utilizing the device of the invention, with some of the detail of the press unimportant to the invention omitted.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

For the purpose of understanding the general construction of a turret unch press of the character under discussion, reference is made to FIGURE 9, which shows generally a turret press of the type fully described in Wiedemann US. Patent 2,701,017, granted February 1, 1955, for High Speed Follower Gage and Punch.

The turret punch press shown in FIGURE 9 comprises generally a frame 1 rotatably supporting an upper punch turret 2t journaled on vertical pivot 2 and a lower die turret 2t) journaled on vertical pivot 3. The upper and lower turrets 20 and Eli are driven by sprocket chains 4 and 5 respectively from back drive 6. A driven crank shaft 7 drives ram 8 which forces a given punch 9 held in tool holder 21 in turret Zii through the work and into die 10 in the lower die turret. The tool holding wells 21 are circumferentially spaced at positions in the turret as well known.

The upper and lower turrets 2i? and 26B are exactly aligned when in punching position by registry means 11 acting on the turrets. Alignment sockets 22 are placed in positions diametrically opposite to each punch and die position and receive alignment pins 13 and lid guided in alignment bearings 15 on the frame and pivotally interconnecting at I6 with alignment rocker 16, which is connected to a power drive mechanism or" the turret punch press. The alignment pins 13 and 14 are spring urged by compression springs 17 towards their engaging position, the spring acting toward the rearward bearing alignment l5 and collars l3 and 14 on the pins.

The punch turret 2% is pivoted at a point to the right of the drawing in FIGURE 1. The turret 20 has in each position a tool holding well 21 which would normally receive a punch holder, having a punch. In the present case, one of the tool holding wells 21 is devoted to the mounting of a marker as later explained. The portion of the punch turret 2d shown in FIGURE 1, rotates in a direction normal to the plane of the paper about an axis of rotation which extends vertically and lies in the plane of the paper. Each tool holding well 21 is in exact ali nment with an aliwnin o enin 22 which re isters o a a o the turret for operation. At this aligning opening the turret is directly above a corresponding position of the the turret which will normally carry a cooperating die 23.

The specific aligning opening 22 of the punch turret 2i) opposite the selected punch to be operated in the turret receives the registry pin 13 shown in FIGURE 9 and as described in the above Wiedemann patent. Thus, while the aligning opening 22 as shown at the left in FIGURE 1 of the present application, is not the opening which aligns the turret in the correct position, it is identical and exactly opposite that opening which normally performs this function, mainly the aligning opening 22 in FIGURE 9 shown receiving the pin 13. An identical registry arrangement exists in the die turret 2h. The registry pins 13 and 114 are suitably disengaged by the rocker if when the turrets are rotating, and are engaged by the rocker 116 when the turrets are in punch position.

The marking device of the invention comprises a markor body 2a which occupies a selected tool holding well 21 in the punch turret 2t? and which is keyed against improper rotation by key 25 entering longitudinal keyway 26 (FIGUR 1) and also held in proper position by bolts 27 which engage bridging bracket 28 which is .m mounted by bolts 36 (FIGURE 2) at the opposite sides to the top of the turret. Thus, effectively the marker body is rigidly mounted in the turret.

The marker body has a stepped central bore 31 which comprises a lower center punch guiding bore 52, an enlarged spring well 33 forming a shoulder 34 to engage the bottom of the retracting spring and a still further enlarged cylinder 35 which forms a shoulder 36 limiting downward movement of the center punch.

The center punch itself comprises a center punching tool 37 having the usual conical forward end 38, whic is provided with two flats (FIGURE 4) to allow for air escape as shown at 4 h. Suitably mounted on the upper end of the center punch is a piston 41, provided with a series of grooves 42 forming a labyrinth seal as well known in the art.

The center punch is urged toward retraction by a helical compression spring 43.

On opposite sides or otherwise in a suitable geometrical grouping with respect to the center punching tool 37, are provided color marking devices 44 (FIGURE 6), which may be commercial items, consisting of fountain markers having a cylinder for ink 45 and having a felt marking tip 46. The fountain barrel 45 is guided through loose fitting guides 47 and 48 at the top and bottom. The lower guide is held by engagement with a retainer plate 50 which is mounted as by screws 51 to the lower end of the body and which has suitable openings to permit the markers to operate. A stripper 5d normally used in the punching operation surrounds the tool well 21 and is secured to the turret 20. The upper guide 48 moves down with the marker and acts as a retainer for helical compression spring 52 which acts in cylinder 53. Nut 54 at the upper end of the marker retains guide 48 and piston 5'5 has an extending stud 56 which contacts the nut but is not connected thereto. The piston has sealing grooves 57.

All of the fluid pistons, that is, the center punch piston 4-1 and the color marker piston 55, are provided with hollow fluid retaining sockets 53 which align with fluid passages 60, extending up through the body in the case of the color marker pistons 55, and into a cap 24, in the case of the center punch, held to the marker body 24 by bolts 24 The fluid passages 60 then extend radially outwardly through a connector plate 61 and then upwardly into an enlarged passage as which receives a resiliently urged coupling or sleeve s3 urged into upward position by helical compression spring 63'.

A spring plate 64 is secured to and moves with coupling or sleeve 63 in an upward and downward reciprocating direction. The spring plate 6 is suitably of V rectangular form and is joined to the coupling 63 by sealing rings 65 (FIGURE 3). The spring plate 64 is retained in position by stripper bolts 66 secured by tapped threads into fluid passage housing 67. The fluid passage housing 67 is anchored to the punch turret by cap screws 68.

The spring plate 64 is guided by stripper bolts 66 so that the plate reciprocates along the shafts of the stripper bolts but is restrained and limited in its upward movement by the stripper bolt heads.

A connector block 70 is fastened to a bumper block 71 by bolts 71. Fluid passages '72 extend through the bumper block and into fluid passages 73 in the connector block which has a recessed outlet 74. The outlet 74 suitably has a resilient seal in the form of a compressible washer '75 which seats in the recessed outlet '74-. The connector block has bevels 76 at each end which extend across the block in a direction transverse to the rotation of the turret.

The bumper block '71 is secured to the press frame, not shown, and remains stationary at all times with respect to the frame. Fluid sources connect to the fluid passages 72 at connections 76 wherein the fluid is selectively admitted by means later discussed.

It should be understood that each cylinder has its separate passages from the source, and that what has been described above by way of passages and couplings exists separately for each cylinder.

The electrical system which controls the fluid pressure to the marking cylinders and center punch cylinder is shown in FIGURE 8. Energized lead 89 and grounded lead $1 from any suitable power source are arranged in parallel. A reader switch 82 is connected across the leads in series with a control relay 83, a reader switch 84 is connected in series across the leads with the control relay 85, and a reader switch 86 is connected in series across the leads with a control relay S7. A trip interlock switch 38 is connected in series with parallel circuits 9t), 91 and 92. across leads 8% and 31. Circuit 90 consists of relay contacts 83' on control relay $3 in series with solenoid actuated valve 93. Circuit 91 consists of contacts 85" on control relay S5 in series with solenoid actuated valve 94. Circuit 92 consists of contacts 87 on control relay S7 in series with solenoid actuated valve 95.

The solenoid actuated valves 93'), 94 and 95 are respectively placed in the fluid lines leading from the sources of fluid pressure, not shown, to the connections 76 on the bumper block which carry the fluid pressure to the cylinders which control the individual color markers and center punch. The solenoid actuated valve 593 could suitably control the fluid pressure to one of the color marking devices 44, the solenoid actuated valve 94 could suitably control the fluid pressure to the center punching tool 37, and the solenoid actuated valve 95 could suitably control the fluid pressure to the other color marker 44.

In the operation of the device of the invention, the turret it) of the turret punch press is controlled by a suitable program control system 89 as described, for instance, in copending application Serial No. 166,962, filed January 17, 1962, for Remote Control System, now Patout No. 3,196,715.

This remote control system allows the positioning of the turret according to a predetermined program which can be set on a tape or the like. For example, the turret could be rotated into a number of turret positions to punch various size holes where the tool well holds punches. The program could then call for a mark or code to be placed on the work for subsequent operations, for instance, away from the punch press. These could be burning, cutting, bending, welding, or other fabrication.

The tape at the position which calls for rotation of the turret to position the tool well having the markers and center punch in operating position, in addition carries suitable information to selectively actuate reader switches 82, 84 and 86. These switches are actuated selectively, by the program control means 89.

When normally open reader switch 32 is selectively closed, current from the leads and 81 passes into normally open control relay 83 and closes this relay. This closes normally open contacts 83 in circuit 99. Likewise, if the program control closes reader switch 84, normally open control relay is closed, thus closing normally open contacts 85'. Reader switch 86 is selectively closed, closing normally open relay 37 and closing normally open relay contast 87' in circuit 92.

When the turret 20 is in operating position, the crankshaft 7 of the turret press normally forces the punch in the turret tool well is operating position down through the work piece. However, when the color code marker and center punch of the invention is in the operating position responsive to the program control, the crankshaft rotation does not actuate the punch but rather, after suitably ten degrees of rotation the crankshaft from the start position closes trip interlock switch 88 by any suitable means not shown, such as a cam. Upon closing of the trip interlock switch 83, current passes from lead 80 through trip interlock switch 88 into circuits 9( 91 and 92. The relay contacts 83, 85' and 87' are selectively closed and current passes through those relay contacts which are closed into the respective solenoid actuated fluid control valves 93, 94 and 95. These valves, one on each of the fluid lines to the respective color markers and center punch, will pass fluid under pressure from any suitable source, desirably air, into connection 76 in bumper block 71.

The fluid Will pass through passage 72 into passage 73 in connector block 70. The spring late 64 which has rotated into position along with turret 20, slidably connects to the connector block, being guided into position by bevels 76. When the turret comes to rest at the position for code marking, coupling 63 will be aligned respectively with its fluid passage 73 at outlet 74 and a tight joint will be maintained by virtue of seal 75 and coupling 63 biased in an upward direction by helical compression spring 63. Color marking devices 44 and center punching tool 37 are biased in an upward direction and withdrawn from the work by the helical compression springs 52 acting on the color marking devices 44 and helical compression spring 43 acting on the center punching tool.

If, for instance, the control tape calls for the center punch to mark the work, then the tape would close, for instance, reader switch 84 which would close normally open control relay 85, closing normally open control relay contacts 85' thus providing current to open normally closed solenoid actuated control valve Q4 when trip interlock switch 88 is closed. Fluid passes under pressure to passages 72, '73, 60 and into cylinder 35 of the center punching tool 37. The fluid would force piston 41 downward against spring bias &3 and center marking device 37 would strike the work directly below the marker leaving a suitable punch mark.

Likewise if the tape called for a color marking, the reader switch 86 would be selectively closed which in turn would close normally open relay 87 and relay contacts 87' which would provide current to normally closed solenoid actuated valve 95 when trip interlock switch 88 was closed. The valve 95 would open, allowing fluid under pressure to pass through the fluid passages into fluid cylinder 53 causing piston 55 to move downward carrying color marking device 4-4 downward causing felt marking tip 46 carrying a certain color to strike against the work piece.

The crankshaft of the turret punch press, not shown, continues to rotate, thus releasing normally open trip interlock switch 88 and breaking the circuits 90, 91 and 92, closing those of normally closed solenoid actuated valves 93, 94 and 95 which have been opened.

The marking devices and center punch device are now retracted into the cylinders under the action of the respective helical compression springs 43 and 52. The control tape is moved to a new position which may be another marking position or another punching position on the turret. Reader switches 82, 84 and 86 are opened during this change of position by omitting any designations on the tape. Thus, control relays 83, 85 and 87 and control relay contacts 83, 85 and 87' are open and solenoid actuated valves 93, 94 and @5 are closed.

If another marking is called for by the tape at a new work piece position, the work piece being suitably shifted between punch or marking cycles, the cycle of marking as indicated above is repeated. However, where a punching operation is called for, or where a new sequence of markings as, for instance, a different geometrical position of the center punch and color markings, or diflerent color, are called for and a new turret well must be brought into position, then the turret will rotate under the remote control action of a suitable remote control system such as referred to previously.

In the rotation of the turret 20 to a new position, the bumper block 71 and connector block 76 remain fixed to the :front of the press frame. The turret 26 carrying the connector plate 61, the coupling 63 and the 6 spring plate 64 travel with the turret. The spring plate 64 is slidably connected to the connector block and slides into and out of contact with the block.

In view of our invention and disclosure, variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of our invention without copying the structure shown, and we, therefore, claim all such insofar as they \fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of our claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a turret punch press, a turret having an operating position, registry means on the turret for aligning the turret in that position, a marker body mounted in the turret and operative when the turret is aligned in the operative position, a marking device in the marker body, a fluid cylinder in the marker body, a piston operatively mounted in the fluid cylinder and interconnected with the marking device, a fluid connection to the cylinder including at the outer end a reciprocating coupling, a permanent fluid connection mounted at the operative position and terminating in a connector block which registers with and communicates fluid pressure through said coupling and said passage to said piston, and valve means controlling the admission of fluid to said permanent fluid connection.

2. In a turret punch press, a turret turning about an axis and having registry means for alignment at an operative position, a marker body positioned in the turret to align with said operative position, a plurality of separately operated markers in said marker body adapted to be selectively operated singly or together, parallel cylinders in the marker body, one of said parallel cylinders for each marker, pistons in the cylinders each operatively connected to one of the markers, a separate fluid connection from each cylinder and including at the outer end a resilient sealing connector, a connector block stationarily mounted at the position of operation and having a plurality of fluid passages in the connector block to communicate separately with one of the marker cylinders, and means for selectively controlling the admission of fluid to the connector block passages for selectively operating the individual markers.

3. A turret punch press of claim 2, in which one of the markers is concentric and at least one other positioned at a distance from the center of the said operative position.

4. A turret punch press of claim 3, in which there are two diametrically opposed positioned markers as well as the center marker.

5. A turret punch press of claim 3, in which the center marker is a center punch.

6. A turret punch press of claim 3, in which the marker positioned from the center is a color marker.

7. A turret punch press of claim 3, comprising program control means for actuating the fluid control valves in accordance with a predetermined program for marking the work.

8. A turret punch press of claim 3, in which the markers are code markers.

9. In a turret punch press, a turret which is adapted to turn on a vertical axis, said turret having a tool holder well and a cooperating registry opening adapted to reach operative position, a marker body filling the tool holder well, means for anchoring the marker body in the tool holder well, a marking device extending vertically in the marker body and adapted to advance downwardly to engage and mark the work, the marking device having a predetermined relation to the registry position of the turret with the work when the marker device is operated, spring means retracting the marking device, a cylinder coaxial with the marking device and positioned above the same, a piston in the cylinder connected with the mounting device and adapted to advance the marking device against the return force of the spring, walls forming a passage for admitting fluid to the marking device terminating in a travelling coupling adapted to admit fluid to the marker cylinder, a connection block mounted in position to engage the marker coupling and provide fluid for actuating the marker at the position of registry of the turret, and valve means for admitting fluid into the passage of the connector block.

10. A turret punch press of claim 9, having a plurality of markers arranged side by side, each marker having a return spring, an actuating cylinder, an actuating piston, a fluid connection terminating in a flexible connector and a cooperating passage through the connector block and also have valve control means for admitting fluid to such passage.

11. A turret punch press of claim 10, in combination with a program control device for admitting fluid to predetermined markers in accordance with a marking code.

8 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1900 Post 118264 X 10/1923 Tevander 11835 X 8/1943 Hutchinson 83622 X 2/1955 Wiedemann 83413 2/1958 Meier et a1. 11824l X 9/1959 Socke 118323 X 11/1960 Levine 8371 6/1962 Richards 83622 X 1/1963 Cole 83-622 X FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 195 8 Belgium.

MORRIS KAPLAN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD D. NEVIUS, Examiner. 

1. IN A TURRET PUNCH PRESS, A TURRET HAVING AN OPERATING POSITION, REGISTRY MEANS ON THE TURRET FOR ALIGNING THE TURRET IN THAT POSITION, A MARKER BODY MOUNTED IN THE TURRET AND OPERATIVE WHEN THE TURRET IS ALIGNED IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION, A MARKING DEVICE IN THE MARKER BODY, A FLUID CYLINDER IN THE MARKER BODY, A PISTON OPERATIVELY MOUNTED IN THE FLUID CYLINDER AND INTERCONNECTED WITH THE MARKING DEVICE, A FLUID CONNECTION TO THE CYLINDER INCLUDING AT THE OUTER END A RECIPROCATING COUPLING, A PERMANENT FLUID CONNECTION MOUNTED AT THE OPERATIVE POSITION AND TERMINATING IN A CONNECTOR BLOCK WHICH REGISTERS WITH AND COMMUNICATES FLUID PRESSURE THROUGH 